But despite the fact that Kennard is a faithful breadwinner, his emotional distance from the family makes Sonia believe that a good marriage must be more than in name only. Sonia is a grown woman with responsibilities; she’s too old for make-believe…Adrian couldn’t love her husband, Darryl, more if she tried. He’s the one person who’s shown her what real love means. But when it seems that Darryl’s more interested in making money than making babies, Adrian wonders what marriage is for? And when a devastating secret from Darryl’s past emerges, it seems that their vows may truly break.The two women are heartbroken and on the verge of divorce when a common friend, Miss Erma, invites them to a prayer group. Between the prayers come stories of marriage—the good and the bad, the happy and the sad. Sonia and Adrian discover that marriage is more than wedding dresses and happily ever after. It is compromise, sacrifice, and patience—The Good Stuff!

    Where the city’s most infamous open-air drug market once stood, a farmers’ market now sells grass-fed beef and homemade duck egg ravioli. On the corner where AM.PM carryout used to dish out soul food, a new establishment markets its $28 foie gras burger. Shaw is experiencing a dramatic transformation, from “ghetto” to “gilded ghetto,” where white newcomers are rehabbing homes, developing dog parks, and paving the way for a third wave coffee shop on nearly every block.Race, Class, and Politics in the Cappuccino City is an in-depth ethnography of this gilded ghetto. Derek S. Hyra captures here a quickly gentrifying space in which long-time black residents are joined, and variously displaced, by an influx of young, white, relatively wealthy, and/or gay professionals who, in part as a result of global economic forces and the recent development of central business districts, have returned to the cities earlier generations fled decades ago. As a result, America is witnessing the emergence of what Hyra calls “cappuccino cities.” A cappuccino has essentially the same ingredients as a cup of coffee with milk, but is considered upscale, and is double the price. In Hyra’s cappuccino city, the black inner-city neighborhood undergoes enormous transformations and becomes racially “lighter” and more expensive by the year.

    Fluent in five languages before the age of ten, she was the apple of her daddy’s eye. In the blink of an eye, a late night tragedy snatches not only her fabulous life, but the one man who loved her more than anything, leaving her with a stepmother who would stop at nothing to make Cary’s life a living hell. When most people her age were preparing for school dances, prom and graduation, Cary spent her teenage years closing off her true identity in order to cope with her surroundings. By the time she was legal, Cary had already crashed and burned into a shell of her former self. Even through the darkness, she held on to the hope that one day her life would magically turn into something great.Every king needs a queen. Leonidas Payano, also known as King, was next in line for the trap throne in Miami. Growing up, he’d heard stories about how he and Cary would rule the streets together, but when that time came his queen was nowhere to be found. Years of dead ends and closed mouths later, Cary was found in Meridian, Mississippi. Short on love and out of trust, she’s skeptical about whether or not King’s intentions are pure when he offers to put her back on the throne. The thought of making good on a promise made to her father before the coroner zipped up his body bag gave her the incentive to make that ride to the 305.King’s seven savages are the goons at Cary’s disposal once she touched back down in the city. Yenni, Bash, Jaden, Duval, Killa, Santiago and Benny bust pistols at the drop of a dime on the queen’s command. Who would’ve thought the queen would find herself infatuated with one of her own? But that’s exactly what happens when Cary laid eyes on Benny. How does Leonidas take the news, knowing she had his heart since they were kids?Complicated is an understatement when Cary comes face to face with her past, bumping into her stepmother at the last place she should have ever been. When the truth is revealed about her motives, Cary is left questioning everyone in her orbit. Does she revert back to her old ways? Or does she stay bossed up and get her revenge against everyone who orchestrated her father’s demise? A pretty girl, seven savages, a jealous stepmother and a king…does their story end in happily ever after?

    Claire is through with love. Not everyone gets a happily ever after, and she’s okay with that. After all, it’s not like Mr. Right is just going to come knocking at her door… Aspiring entrepreneur, Khalil “K.C.” Campbell has been delivering mail to a beautiful workaholic for five long months. An ever-growing crush has plagued him since day one, but she has no idea he exists. That is until the day she finally looks up from her computer…

    After his older brother stepped down and passed him the throne, Ace is tasked with the difficulties of transitioning from being Underboss to H.N.I.C. The job was tough but flipping the culture of an established drug empire had to be done. His money along with his squad had his foremost attention for the longest time, all he wanted to do was get richer by any means necessary. He wasn't looking for love but there's always the exception to the rule.Bleu Majors was the exception to every rule. When he saw her, he knew he had to have her. She was gorgeous, smart, driven and he felt like she could handle a man of his caliber. But he forgot to read between the lines on the pages and took the woman off face value. You've heard of the saying don't judge a book by its cover right? The blue eyed beauty had an insatiable appetite for bad boys and the fast life, the rush of it all really did something to her. Ace offered her all of that in the most addictive way. But the problemwith living life in the fast lane, is that when you make it to your destination so quickly...you just might not be prepared. Follow them on this rollercoaster ride full of betrayal, steamy romance, lies, murder and deceit as they battle between love versus lust. Will love conquer all or will temptations get the best of the dynamic duo? You know what they say about those temporary fixes… Now ask yourself this question, are you ready for Ace & Bleu?

    This anthology contains: Devil in a Blue Dress; A Red Death; and White Butterfly.

    The Weary Blues announced the arrival of a rare voice in American poetry. A literary descendant of Walt Whitman ("I, too, sing America," Hughes wrote), he chanted the joys and sorrows of black America in unprecedented language. A gifted lyricist, he offered rhythms and cadences that epitomized the particularities of African American creativity, especially jazz and the blues. His second volume, steeped in the blues and controversial because of its frankness, confirmed Hughes as a poet of uncompromising integrity. Then in the 1930s came Dear Lovely Death (1931) and the radical A New Song (1938). Poems such as "Good Morning Revolution" and "Let America Be America Again" made his pen one of the most forceful in America during the Great Depression.

    It provides scriptural solutions to life altering problems such as low self-esteem, abuse, and depression. Black Girls Don’t Cry frees us from the bondage of regrets, encourages us to drop the baggage from our past, and moves us forward towards a renewed strength in Christ.

    As she learns the truth behind her marriage, she is faced with realizing not all fairytales have happy endings.MEET TAYLOR ROSS, Taylor has made a life for herself as one of the most talented artists of her generation. When Taylor tries to take on mental illness, she is faced with the reality that some things in life cannot be fixed with a paint brush.MEET JACQUELINE “JACKIE” MCKINLEY, after years of waiting for her big Hollywood break, Jackie gets an opportunity of a lifetime that changes her life forever. But was the price of fame worth it?What happens when the life you thought you were going to have is hit with the Reality in Chaos? Through life’s unexpected twist and turns, one thing is consistent for these women; their friendship and sisterhood.

    

    Instead of inheriting a life of luxury, she lived hers in poverty. But being the child of a notorious Kingpin, Angel has the spirit of a hustler running through her blood. She uses those skills to change her destiny. Because all Angel sees, is the money.

    Well not exactly. I mean, he is the love of her life. Passion-filled days and nights are all she can think about when she is close to him. But so is fear. Fear of him taking her heart and ripping it to pieces-- so she decides that leaving him and his love for her alone, is the best thing for her. But love is a mercurial thing, it has a way of pulling back up to you when you think you have deserted it, which is what happens when Amara finds a reason to work with Noah on an upcoming project at work. Things that complicate this even more? Keith her current boyfriend, and "the past" which she seems to want to also run away from as much as she runs away from Noah. Can Amara overcome her fears and give into what makes her feel whole? Can she finally begin to trust the love that Noah has always had for her? Find out in I Am Yours...

    Life may not start out all peaches and cream for Courtney...but with a little savvy and a lot of determination she might just turn it all around. Join her on a journey from innocence to independence. Determined not to be consumed by life's struggles, Courtney learns to take advantage of the obstacles she faces. Will she self-destruct or burn bright?

    After enduring an abusive relationship for over seven years, she meets the man of her dreams. Her eyes are finally opened to true love for the first time, but will it last? Jewel Sanchez, a self-made d-boy, hustles every day to provide himself with the life he has been accustomed to since birth. As lieutenant of the M.A.C. Boys, Jewel makes sure he keeps his money close and soon his enemies closer. Robyn Johnson, a rich, party girl, is known all over Sacramento, but maybe for the wrong reasons. She often attempts to medicate herself with material objects and different men, but the pain never goes away. She was always proud of her strength, but will that be enough for her to survive? Brandon Edwards’ short-fuse proves to be dangerous for everyone around him. Always use to getting what he wants, Brandon does whatever it takes to hold onto his power and respect even if that means losing a few people along the way.

    Daley and Rahm Emanuel have touted and promoted Chicago as a "world class city." The skyscrapers kissing the clouds, the billion-dollar Millennium Park, Michelin-rated restaurants, pristine lake views, fabulous shopping, vibrant theater scene, downtown flower beds and stellar architecture tell one story. Yet, swept under the rug is the stench of segregation that compromises Chicago. The Manhattan Institute dubs Chicago as one of the most segregated big cities in the country. Though other cities - including Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Baltimore - can fight over that mantle, it's clear that segregation defines Chicago. And unlike many other major U.S. cities, no one race dominates. Chicago is divided equally into black, white, and Latino, each group clustered in their various turfs.In this intelligent and highly important narrative, Chicago-native Natalie Moore shines a light on contemporary segregation on the South Side of Chicago through reported essays, showing the life of these communities through the stories of people who live in them. The South Side shows the important impact of Chicago's historic segregation - and the ongoing policies that keep it that way.